John Newton, 1725-1807
This hymn was composed by Newton for use on Saturday evening. To give it wider usefulness, the verses were slightly changed to make them suitable for the Sunday morning service.
For comments on John Newton see [Hymn 274].
MUSIC. SABBATH was written for this hymn in 1824.
For comments on the composer, Lowell Mason, see [Hymn 12].
285. O day of rest and gladness
Christopher Wordsworth, 1807-85
A hymn which serves to keep vividly before us the meaning and value of the Lord’s Day. It appears as the opening hymn in the author’s The Holy Year, 1862, where it is entitled “Sunday.” It is based on Psalm 118:24: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
For comments on Christopher Wordsworth see [Hymn 174].
MUSIC. MENDEBRAS was written for this hymn in 1839. It is an arrangement by Lowell Mason of a German folk song.